Electrical-grounding device



Aug. 6, 1929. I wR|GHT 1,723,394

ELECTRICAL GROUNDING DEVICE Filed May 9, 1927 flil Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

UNITED STATES ELMER WRIGHT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRICAL-GROUNDING DEVLICE.

Application filedir/[ay 9, 1927. Serial No This invention relates to grounding devices for electrical circuits and more particijilarly to groululing devices for connect :ing groundwires ot electrical circiuts and their coruluits or metallic sheathings with water pipe lines.

The main objects of this invention are to proviifle a grounding device having improved means 'l'or connecting ground w res of ehaitrical circuits; to provide an 1m proved form of grouz'iding' the ground wire connection is protected trom accidental displzwement and injury; to providcfan improved form of grounding device wherein the unautlun'ized tampin'ing with the ground wire connection is virtually prevented; to provide an improved "term of grounding device wherein the ground wire connection is concealed within the device yet it may be readily secured in installatiim; andv to provide an improved form grounding device wherein the ground wire c-(mncction is oli srdl'icient metal to adequately handle the electrical. load at all times.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying (.lrawings wherein c Figure 1 a perspective view 01 the vice in a. water pipe line. i a

Fig. 2 is a. top plan view of the grounding device perse, partly in section to better show the means 'l'or connecting the ground wire to the grounding terminal.

Fig. sectional view thereoftaken on line. 3-43 of Figure 2, a. portion thereof bein broken away.

As is well known in the electrical wiring art, a water pipe gives the best andmost satisfactory ground connection and hereto- :lorein the art, clamps, usually in the form oi? straps which surround water pipes, have been widely used for securing such ground connection. This form of connection has not proven satisfactory, due to the lactthat very often the paint, dirt or grease has not been thoroughly removed from the pipe be fore placing the band around it, and, therefore, it good electrical connection to the pipe has not been secured. Very often the connection has been so imperfect as to cause arcing and sparking between the clamping and the pipe. Such arcing will soon burn the clamping band to such an extent that it is materially weakened. and very often crystalhzes and breaks.

device wherein In the present invention all the advantages ot. awater line. ground rom'iection have been secured without any oi the disailvantages heretofore (elici'lllisttll'fltl, due to the tact that a perrmuuent, imsitive, tight com'iection with the water pipe is had at all times.

c In the construction shown in tl e drawings the improved device is illustrated in use in the usual. water line and meter assembly. This assembly comprises an inlet pipe 1 con municating with the water main (not shown), a manually operable water valve 2 connected to the inlet pipe 1 by an elbow coupling 3, a. water meter at. a service pipe 5 connected therewith by an elbow coupling (hnipple 7, and a union 8.

A ground wire 9 of the electrical circuit iscarried by a bent conduit Ill).

The grounding device per se comprises a. blind pipe littlnglil which may be connected with the leg end 14. ot a pipe T having head ends which are internally screw threaded for insertion in and connection with the water pipe line between the valve 2 andv the water meter 4-. One end of the blind fitting l3, which shown as a rmlucing coupling, inlin'nally screw-threaded fo connection with the ground wire conduit 10.

The end oil the blind titling 13 that connected. with the leg end, of the pipe T is duggerl with any suitable electrical conducting medium such as the integrally cast mass 17. The medium 17 carries a screw seating binding post or electric wiring terminal 18. The fitting 13 has an opening 19 therein, disposed above the binding post for PITOVlding access thereto and is also provided with an externally screw-threiuled flanged collar 20. A sleeve 21 having an open end. is internally screw-tl1readed for connection with the externally screw-threaded collar 20. The other end of the sleeve is partially closed but is provided with an aperture for permitting the conduit 10 to pass therethrough for coi'mection with the fitting 13.

In installation of the grounding device, the head ends of the. pipe T are inserted in and connected with the water pipe line preferably between the valve and the meter. The blind fitting is next screwed to the leg end of the pipe T, the conduit carrying the ground wire is passed through the sleeve and screwed to the. blind fitting, the ground wire drawn into the conduit and secured to the binding post or terminal, and the sleeve is then screwed to the externally screwthreaded flanged collar of the blind fitting.

It will thus be seen that the ground Wire connection is protected from accidental displacement and that the tampering therewith by unautl'iorized persons is virtually prevented. The ground wire connection is thus concealed Within the grounding device, yet it may be readily secured in installation and the connection is such that the electrical load may be adequately handled at 1 times.

"Vhilc but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown ant described, it *ill be understood that numerous details of the construction ehovvn may be alt and or omitted Without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A grounding device tor connection with the ground conductor of an electrical circuit, comprising threaded closure means for a standard aperture in a groui'ided pipe system, and means Within said closure means for attaching a ground conductor thereto and a removable sleeve on said closure means for protecting said attaching means.

2. A grounding device for connection with the ground conductor ot an electrical circuit, comprising threaded closure illQllllS tor a standard aperture in a pipe system, said closure means having connminicative openings therein, means Within one opening for securing a ground conductor to said closure means, a sleeve for closing said aperture, and means extending into the other aperture for protecting said conductor.

In combination, a grounded pipe system having a threaded aperture therein, a closure means for said aperture having a threaded end for engagement with the threaded aperture of said grounded pipe system and being threaded at the opposite end for engagement With the threaded end of a ground wire conduit, said closure means having an opening therein said opposite end, and means within said opening for securing a ground conductor to said closure means.

e. In combination, a grounded pipe system having a threaded aperture therein, a closure means for said aperturehaving a threaded end for engagement with the threaded aperture of said grounded pipe system and having an opening extending from the opposite end through one side of said closure means, means Within said opening for securing a ground conductor to said closure means, and a sleeve lit"ing over said closure means and closing the opening at the side 01 said closure means.

in combination, a grounded pipe system having a standard aperture therein, closure means for said aperture comprising a fitting, a conductor electrically connected to the interior ot said fitting, and a pipe communicative ith the interior of said fitting and enclosing said conductor.

6. In combination, a grounded pipe systenr 1a ring a standard aperture therein, closure means for said aperture comprising a fitting, ra ing a recess and a commui'iicative apertine therein, a ground Wire terminal in siid recess, a conductor extendin through the aperture of said fitting, and electrically connected to said terminal, and a pipe extending into said aperture and enclosing said conductor.

Signed at Chicago this 4th day of May 1927.

ELMER H. lVRIGHT. 

